Machine for inspecting glass containers

ABSTRACT

A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The captured objects are located in a band to define a cluster. The cluster is evaluated to determine whether it is a multiple cluster and each defined cluster is evaluated to distinguish a check from a blister.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/799,616, filed on May 2, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,697,132, granted on Apr. 13, 2010, which is entitled “Machine for Inspecting Glass Containers,” which patent application is assigned to the assignees of the present invention, and which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to machines, which inspect glass containers for defects, and more particularly, to a system which inspects for checks (cracks) in translucent glass containers.

In the glass container industry, small cracks, or fracture in the glass are referred to as “check defects.” Checks can range from sub millimeters to several hundred millimeters and can be oriented at any direction from vertical to horizontal. Glass is not a crystalline structure by nature, but most cracks propagate roughly along a plane of some orientation in space mostly determined by the shape of the glass at that location. Most of these crack defects will drastically weaken the bottle, often causing it to rupture or to leak. Therefore, it is very likely that a bottle manufacturer will remove a container with a check before it reaches filling plants. Checks appearing near the mouth of the containers are called finish checks. In the glass bottle industry, the term “container finish” refers to the portion of the bottle that defines the mouth, threads or beads, and the ring. The upper surface of the mouth is referred to as the sealing surface.

Another anomaly, which can also be present are bubbles. A bubble results when gas is trapped in the glass. When the bubbles are large they are referred to as a blister and when the bubbles are small, they are referred to as a seed. The presence of bubbles, while affecting the appearance of the bottle, do not necessarily require the rejection of the bottle and an operator may allow such a bottle to be packed. For purposes of this application, the word blister will include a seed.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,701,612, 4,945,228, 4,958,223, 5,020,908, 5,200,801, 5,895,911, 6,104,482, 6,211,952, and 6,275,287 all relate to devices that detect defects in the finish of a container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for inspecting glass containers, which can differentiate vertical, horizontal, and any other angle cracks (checks) from blisters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the present portion of this invention will become apparent from the following accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in accordance with the mandate of the patent statutes, a presently preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an oblique elevational schematic view of a prior art inspection station of a machine for inspecting glass containers for checks and other defects;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the container at the prior art inspection station showing the light axes of a pair of light sources and the camera;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view showing the light axes of the prior art light sources and camera shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a control drawing showing how an unwrapped image is defined;

FIG. 5 is a view, taken from the camera, of the finish area of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, illustrating images captured each θ (theta) degrees of rotation of the bottle about its vertical axis through an angle φ (phi);

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the unwrapping process illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a presentation of 10 images of an object captured through 11 locations spaced θ (theta) degrees apart through an angle of φ (phi) degrees with the center of the object plotted;

FIG. 8 is presentation similar to that of FIG. 8 showing only the objects in band 1-2;

FIG. 9 is presentation similar to that of FIG. 8 showing only the objects in band 2-3;

FIG. 10 is presentation similar to that of FIG. 8 showing only the objects in band 3-4;

FIG. 11 is a control drawing showing the structure of the control for determining whether a captured object is a check or a blister; and

FIG. 12 is a control drawing illustrating the structure for identifying a bottle for rejection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a machine for inspecting glass containers (bottles), the containers 10 are transported vertically along a conveyor 12 to an inspection station illustrated in FIG. 1. The conveyor may be a linear belt or a turret type feed system. A container 10 is engaged by upper and lower rear pairs of idler rollers 14 and a front drive wheel 16 so that rotation of the drive wheel in the clockwise direction will rotate the container in the counterclockwise direction. There is conveyor dwell of sufficient duration at the inspection station so that the container can be rotated more than 360 degrees while inspection takes place. A container present sensor 18 will sense the presence of a container at the inspection station. Conical light sources (Light Source #1/20 and Light Source #2/21) which can be configured from L.E.D.'s, illuminate the finish portion of the container and a Camera/22 images the finish portion. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the Light Axis for each light source, which is in the positive “Z” plane of the container, is horizontal, and intersects the axis “A” of the container. The two light axes are orthogonal to each other (the light axes are horizontal and 90 degrees related), and 45 degrees to a vertical plane including the Camera Detector Axis. The Detector Axis for the Camera/22, which is located in the negative “Z” plane, is approximately 45 degrees from horizontal (the camera bisects the horizontal light axes). With this relationship, the camera is looking at a dark field and is ideally seeing only light coming from checks and blisters. The light sources and camera are supported by structure 28 that can be vertically displaced and horizontally displaced to reposition the system for different height/diameter containers.

To start an inspection, the machine will transfer a container to the inspection station and following a time sufficient for the rotation of the container 10 to become stable, the Control 50 (FIGS. 4, 11 and 12) will begin the inspection. The Control will Rotate The Container About Axis Through Desired Angle 42 (FIG. 4). FIG. 5 illustrates the appearance of an anomaly 30 (a check or a blister) on the finish of the container, as it would appear if captured by the camera as the bottle rotated through θ (theta) degree increments. As illustrated, the container has an anomaly which is captured at ten of the eleven locations spaced θ (theta) degrees. Such could occur by operating the camera every time the bottle rotates θ (theta) degrees or could occur by holding the camera open for a prolonged period while strobing the light source each θ (theta) degrees. The anomalies are shown located within an angle of interest φ (phi) defining a partial elliptical path. The Control 50 proceeds to Capture A Selected Number Of Images At θ (theta) Degree Increments 44 and the Control will then Locate The Upper Edge Points Of Container 60. This edge 61 is shown in FIG. 5. The Control will then Fit Curve 62 to these edge points. This could be done using linear regression techniques. The fit curve 63 is shown in FIG. 6. The Control then proceeds to Determine Vertical Peak Of Fitted Curve 64. This peak 65 is also shown in FIG. 6. The Control than proceeds to Define Horizontal Line Through Peak 66 (line 67 in FIG. 6) and proceeds to Unwrap Image 68. This procedure is shown in FIG. 6 with vertical offsets 69 which are defined by the number of pixels required to shift the fitted curve 63, at each vertical row, vertically to the peak tangent line 67. The Control will then Define The Center Of An Anomaly In Each Captured Image 46.

FIG. 7 is a schematic presentation of the linear array of the ten images of an object captured through the 11 locations spaced θ (theta) degrees apart through the angle φ (phi) degrees with the center of the objects plotted showing their “Y”location as a function of three horizontal bands and with their “X” location corresponding to its angular increment. While the preferred embodiment unwraps the elliptical image to define horizontal bands, the bands could be elliptically matched to the pattern of the captured objects. FIGS. 8-10 are schematic presentations of the objects sorted into each of the bands (1-2, 2-3, and 3-4) presented in FIG. 7. Each band represents a horizontal scan line or lines (a band could, for example be five horizontal scan lines). The width of each band (“B”) is shown as settable. Referring to FIG. 11, the Control 50 will Determine Objects In “N” Horizontal Bands “B” High 70. The objects within a band define a “cluster.” The cluster objects identified in FIGS. 8 through 10 are:

Band 1 (1-2)—objects B, C, G, H, I;

Band 2 (2-3)—objects A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K; and

Band 3 (3-4)—objects A, E, F, J, K.

The Control then proceeds to Define Band

Having Most Objects As First Cluster 72. In the above illustration, Band 2 has the most objects (9). If two bands have an identical number, the Control could pick either one first. The Control then proceeds to Remove Common Objects From Other Bands 74. The bands thus become:

Band 2 (2-3)—objects A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K.

When the Control asks the query Does Band With Next Highest Count Of Objects Have Objects Common To Other Bands? 76, the answer will be in the negative—Band 2 has all the unique objects. No further revisions of the bands will take place. The objects in Band 2 will then be identified as a cluster.

Alternately, the bandwidth “B” could be set at 10 scan lines and all of the eleven objects could be located within the single band and treated as a single cluster.

The Control next asks Does Any Cluster Have Gap(s) at least “X” Objects Wide (X is settable) 78. In the event the query is answered in the affirmative, the Control will Define Additional Clusters 79. If “X” was set at three, this query for Band 2, would be answered in the negative since there is a single gap one object wide. Had this gap been three objects wide (D, E, & F missing, for example) the Control would define the objects to the left of the gap (A, B, & C) as one cluster and the objects to the right of the gap (G-K) as a second cluster. It has been found that blisters generally have very small gaps and that a large gap indicates one or more checks. If the operator does not want to use this tool, “X” can be set at 12, for example.

The Control will then Define Maximum Separation Of Objects In Each Cluster 80. Cluster 1 has ten spacings separating A from K. The Control now determines whether the cluster is a check or a blister. This is done by answering the query “Max Separation of “N” Cluster ≧ (greater than or equal to) “Z”?” 82. Assuming Z is 8 (a settable input), when this inquiry is answered for Cluster 1 the answer will be yes and the Control will Define “N” Cluster As Blister 86. Had the separation been less than 8, the Control would Define “N” Cluster As Check 84. This procedure will be repeated for each cluster.

If desired, a decision could be made at this point to pass all blisters and reject all checks but additional choices are provided by the Control. FIG. 12 illustrates the structure of the Control 50 for discriminating between a Blister or Check that will not result in a bottle being rejected and one that will. The Control answers the query “Have All Clusters Been Defined As A Blister Or A Check? 90.”If the answer is “yes,” the Control answers the query “Is Area Of Single Object In A Blister Cluster ≧(greater than or equal to) AA?” Or Is Total Area Of All Objects In A Blister Cluster ≧ (greater than or equal to) BB? Or Is Number Of Objects In A Blister Cluster ≧ (greater than or equal to) CC? or Is Total Area Of All Objects In All Blister Clusters≧ (greater than or equal to) DD? Or Is Total Number Of Objects In All Blister Clusters≧ (greater than or equal to) EE?92. If this query is answered in the affirmative, the Control will issue a Bottle Reject Signal 94.

The Control will also answer the query “Is Area Of Single Object In Check Cluster≧ (greater than or equal to) FF?” Or Is Total Area Of All Objects In A Check Cluster≧ (greater than or equal to) GG? Or Is Number Of Objects In A Check Cluster≧ (greater than or equal to) HH? or Is Total Area Of All Objects In All Check Clusters≧ (greater than or equal to) II? Or Is Total Number Of Objects In All Check Clusters≧(greater than or equal to) JJ? 96. If this query is answered in the affirmative, the Control will also issue a Bottle Reject Signal 94.

Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. A method of inspecting the finish area of a glass container rotated at an inspection station to discriminate between a blister and a check, said method comprising: illuminating the finish area of the glass container as it is being rotated with at least one lighting device; imaging the finish area of the rotating container with a camera as the glass container is being rotated to capture objects at a predetermined number of angular increments of rotation of the glass container; defining with a control a cluster of objects captured by said camera at said predetermined number of angular increments of rotation; determining with said control whether one or more additional clusters are defined by one or more gaps having a minimum size in said cluster of objects; and characterizing with said control a cluster as a check if the farthest separated objects in the cluster are separated less than a predetermined separation of objects.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: characterizing with said control a cluster as a blister if the farthest separated objects in the cluster are not separated less than a predetermined separation of objects.
 3. A method as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising: determining with said control the area of the largest object in the cluster characterized as a blister; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the largest object area in the cluster characterized as a blister exceeds a predetermined area.
 4. A method as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising: determining with said control the total area of all objects in the cluster characterized as a blister; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the total area in the cluster characterized as a blister exceeds a predetermined area.
 5. A method as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising: determining with said control the number of objects in the cluster characterized as a blister; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event that the number of objects in the cluster characterized as a blister exceeds a predetermined number.
 6. A method as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising: characterizing with said control each of said one or more additional clusters as a blister if the farthest separated objects in each of said one or more additional clusters are not separated less than a predetermined separation of objects; determining with said control the total area of all objects in all of the clusters characterized as blisters; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the total area of all objects in all of the clusters characterized as blisters exceeds a predetermined area.
 7. A method as defined in claim 2, additionally comprising: characterizing with said control each of said one or more additional clusters as a blister if the farthest separated objects in each of said one or more additional clusters are not separated less than a predetermined separation of objects; determining the total number of objects in all of the clusters characterized as blisters; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event that the total number of objects in all of the clusters defined as blisters exceeds a predetermined number.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: determining with said control the area of the largest object in the cluster characterized as a check; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the largest object area in the cluster characterized as a check exceeds a predetermined area.
 9. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: determining with said control the total area of all objects in the cluster characterized as a check; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the total area in the cluster characterized as a check exceeds a predetermined area.
 10. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: determining with said control the number of objects in the cluster characterized as a check; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event that the number of objects in the cluster characterized as a check exceeds a predetermined number.
 11. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: characterizing with said control each of said one or more additional clusters as a check if the farthest separated objects in each of said one or more additional clusters are separated less than a predetermined separation of objects; determining with said control the total area of all objects in all of the clusters characterized as checks; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event the total area in all of the clusters characterized as checks exceeds a predetermined area.
 12. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: characterizing with said control each of said one or more additional clusters as a check if the farthest separated objects in each of said one or more additional clusters are separated less than a predetermined separation of objects; determining with said control the total number of objects in all clusters characterized as checks; and generating with said control a reject signal in the event that the total number of objects in all of the clusters defined as checks exceeds a predetermined number.
 13. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: defining with said control at least one band including the cluster of objects captured by said camera at successive time increments.
 14. A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: defining with said control a plurality of adjacent bands which collectively include the cluster of objects captured by said camera at successive time increments.
 15. A method as defined in claim 14, additionally comprising: determining with said control the band having the most objects captured by said camera at successive time increments; deleting with said control from the rest of the bands those objects that are included in the band having the most objects; and repeatedly determining with said control the band of the rest of the bands having the next most objects those objects that are included in the band having the most objects until the objects in each band are unique, the unique objects in each band defining a cluster of objects.
 16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein said bands are horizontal bands.
 17. A method as defined in claim 15, additionally comprising: analyzing with said control each of said adjacent bands to identify the presence of any checks or blisters therein.
 18. A machine for inspecting the finish area of a glass container rotated at an inspection station to discriminate between a blister and a check, said machine comprising: at least one lighting device for illuminating the finish area of the glass container as it is being rotated; a camera for imaging the finish area of the rotating container as the glass container is being rotated to capture objects at a predetermined number of angular increments of rotation of the glass container; and a control configured to: define a cluster of objects captured by said camera at said predetermined number of angular increments of rotation; determine whether one or more additional clusters are defined by one or more gaps having a minimum size in said cluster of objects; and characterize a cluster as a check if the farthest separated objects in the cluster are separated less than a predetermined separation of objects.
 19. A machine as defined in claim 18, wherein said control is also configured to: characterize a cluster as a blister if the farthest separated objects in the cluster are not separated less than a predetermined separation of objects.
 20. A machine as defined in claim 18, wherein said control is also configured to: define at least one band including the cluster of objects captured by said camera at successive time increments. 